Improvement in pessaries



-2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

`C. N'. FOWLER. PEssARIEs. l

Z Sheets-Sheet Z c. N. FoWLER. PEssfARIES.

YA PZTEISS, PIISTCALFTIIOGQAPNEB, WASHIRGKIN, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

4CHARLES N. FOWLER, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT INPESSARIES.

s Specitication formingpart 'of Letters Patent No. 86,469, dated January 23,1877 application lled January, 1876.

To alt whom 'it 'may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES` N. FOWLER, of Youngstown, in the county of Mahoning and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Pessaries, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to an improvement in pessaries made either solid or hollow, from rubber, celluloid, or other suitable material. The object of my invention is to provide a mechanical support for the uterus, and is intended to correct versions, tlexions, and displacements of that organ.

The in ventiou is based upon the theory that the posit-ion of the neck of the uterus` determines the relative bearing of the entire organ to the other pelvic viscera.

The invention consists of a ring for the lixation of the cervix uteri, and ot a prolongation, concave on its upper surface, adapted to the convex surface of the anterior part of the body of the uterus, which is to rest upon it. The length of this prolongation determines the distance of the cervix uteri from the symphysis pubes, and should not be larger than is necessary to provide against the possibility of retro-displacements.

Properly adjusted, my pessary moderately distends the vagina, and forms, with the peri neum, aperfect floor to the pelvis, and holds the neck ofthe uterus at any desirable point in the hollow ofthe sacrum. No pain or irritationwill attend the use of such a pessary, if the right size is employed. The pessary affords a complete support for the uterus, and effcctually controls cases of retroflexion, re-

` troversion, auteiiexion, anteversion, and prolapsus of the uterus. It is simple and perfect,and in its shape is such as to have no angles, joints, or ends to produce irritation of the parts. y As the pessary'does not interfere with the evacuations of the uterine secretions7 its removal atthe menstrual periods is unnecessary. rEhe pessary is adapted to the uterus in its natural position, and its tendency is always to that position; This tendency prevents the possibility of an accurately-adj usted pessary being displaced.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

the gures thereon illustrate Vmodifications of my invention.

The pessary is made of hard rubber., celluloid, or other substance.

In Figures 1,4, and 5, a represents the sides of the instrument; b, the anterior portion or beak, upon the upper surface of which, c, the anterior body of the uterus is to res?. el rep resents a canal through the body of the instrument, from above downward, to permit of uterine discharges, &zc. terior portion. V

When the pessar'y is in position the cervix uteri rests upon the upper rim of this canal or opening, thus giving additional support to the organ.

Fig.y l represents the form most suitable for the majority of retroversions, retroflexions, and prolapsus ofthe uterus. The opening in the body ofthe pessary isto admit the linger, to facilitate its adjustment and removal. The superior lip of the cervical ring overlaps the cervix far enough to prevent the body of the uterus from turning backward at a point of4 flexure, even while the cervix proper is held by the ring. When no flexion or tendency to it exists, a narrow ring, Fig. 3, is preferable, as it is' more easily adjusted and removed, and as efficient for retroversions of prolapsus. Besides this, by boiling or bending just in front of the cervical ring, the relation of the ring and body of Fig. 3 may be changed so as to lengthen or shorten the pessaryfor special cases.

Fig. 2 consists of a cervical ring and a prolongation, convex on one side to conform to the hollow of the sacrum, and concave on the other side to adapt it to the posterior surface of the uterus, and is adapted to anteversions and antelexions, forcing the neck of the uterus toward the hollow of the Sacrum. It is adjusted to the neck of the uterus the same as Fig. 1 but its prolongation, instead of resting in front of the uterus, occupies a position between the hollow of the Sacrum and the posterior wall of the uterus.

Fig. 4 is employed in extreme relaxationfof the'vagina, owing to its greater thickness of body.

Figs. 5 and 7 are only for prolapsus, or as retainers of the uterus after retroversions,

e represents the posibut effectually guard it against unnatural de viations.

In cases of retroexion, where the exion Ais unusually high, the superior lip to the cervical opening must be long enough to overlap even the lower partof the posterior surface of the body of the uterus, to render retroflexion impossible.

rThe forms shown in Figs. l, 3, and 4, if worn too long, tend to produce the opposite displacement, and convert retroversions into anteversions. When a retroversion or retroilexion is corrected by forms shown in Figs.

y 1, 3, and 4, a simple ring-pessary, illustrated by Figs. 5 and 6, will serve to maintain the normal relationship of the pelvic viscera. vThe same precaution is necessary to be observed in the use of Fig. 2.

It will be observed that all my pessaries have the same general construction, being, viz., a modicationof the Hodge pessary; only, instead of being a mere frame, they are lled out and rounded to conform to the parts, and i body of the uterus to its' proper position, and

then retains it so. Its action is' in the direction ofthe normal position of the uterus, which is at a right angle to the axis of the vagina. lt is really a cuppessary, acting on the' principle ofthe Hodge pessary, with many advantages over the latter in special cases. It is applicable in anteversion as well as retroversion, and is well adapted for prolapsus or procidentia.

Having' described my claim is rlhe modification of the Hodge pessary herein described, the pessary being llled out and rounded to conform to the parts, broader'at the posterior portion than at the anterior portion, and having a swell at the posterior part, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

CHARLES N. FOWLER.

In presence of- C. R. TRUESDALE, V T. R. MOEWEN.

invention, what I 

